Women Preachers
Biblical or Beguiled?
 
by Dr. Ken Matto
 
Ephesians 4:11 (KJV)   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
 
One of the changes for the worse taking place in the church in the late twentieth century is the emergence of women preachers. Those who oppose the rise of women preachers are labeled anti-women and that we are nothing more than chauvinists who are allowing female talent in the church to go atrophy. Well my feminized friend, the Bible gives a clear warning that we are not to follow the traditions of men, especially when they contradict the Bible so egregiously.
 
(Col 2:8 KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
 
God does not give these type of warnings in Scripture for the fun of it. They are there for a purpose. A serious question arises out of this. Are the traditions of men being followed by those who oppose or endorse women preachers? There is only one way to determine who is correct and that is to do comparison by means of the standard bearer, the Bible. Only the Bible can give us the final definitive answer.
 
The Scriptures teach a clear distinction between the roles of women and men. If either fall short in their individual responsibilities, they are, in essence, in rebellion against God. There are so many in the church today who try to make an argument for egalitarianism between male and female. This is a fallacious belief, in that it is common knowledge men and woman are different physically, emotionally, and mentally. Let me point out that this in no way means a superior/inferior relationship. It just brings to the surface the fact that God created men and women differently, body structure aside. When each man and woman obeys God in the areas of their roles, then this is the greatest good for society.
 
Remember 60 years ago when the father was the head of the house and the mother stayed home to raise the children? Society was pretty stable wasn't it? Compare the societal attitudes of then and now. Today, the talk shows on TV and the general ambiance of rebellion dictates our lack of societal building blocks. God has commanded the man to be the head of the household and if he refuses or declines to be the head, he is in rebellion against God. This headship does not mean he is to be an oppressor of his family but he is to love them as Christ loved the church. How did Christ love the church? With everything He had including His life's blood! He is to love and nourish his wife and not be bitter against her. A wife is the best friend a man can have. Forget this stupidity that dog is man's best friend. Do you have a wife? Treat her with love, honor and respect, then see if your dog can beat the returns on that investment.  The husband is to provide for his family and to raise his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 5:25-33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 6:4)
 
(1 Pet 3:7 KJV) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
 
Notice the Scripture says, "AS" the weaker vessel, it does not say she is. It is a good thing she is not because we have much wimpy men around today who couldn't lead an ant colony. It is unfortunate though that many women believe the lies of the feminist camp (both inside and outside the church) that they are as strong or stronger than men. They have carried this belief into the military, business world, and the church. Where are they getting fuel from for this cavalcade of theory? Where else, the make believe world of television and movies. Even with all the hype, the obvious fact is that men and women are still different. They should never be in competition with each other but they should complement each other. When a marriage takes place, in the sight of God 1+1=1. This was brought out plainly at my friend's wedding. So by looking at this equation, we see that neither the male nor female are total by themselves but the two together provide what they lack as individuals.
 
Women are commanded by God to be in subject unto their husbands (Gen. 3:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 5:22, 33, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:4-5, 1 Pet. 3:1-6). Even though these passages are unambiguous in their meanings, there are many who attempt to "alternately translate them." The different roles of both men and women are not strictly for the home only. The biblical distinctions must be adhered to in the visible church as well. When a woman becomes a pastor and her husband is part of the congregation, then he has come under her authority which contradicts the biblical teaching that the husband is the head of the wide and home.  In other words, both the husband and wife are in self-willed sin.  The Bible, especially in 1 Corinthians 14, addresses many congregational problems at Corinth. One was Tongues and another was the role of women in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 states:
 
(1 Cor 14:34-35 KJV) Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. {35} And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
 
I have read nowhere in Scripture or even found it intimated in any other passage that God has rescinded the admonition that women are to be silent in the church. What about those who are not married and can't ask their husbands? Then maybe they should ask 2 questions: First, if my Father is a believer, I can ask him; secondly, why am I not married, is it because I need my career first? A woman is to be under the authority of her parents until she is given to her husband in marriage, then she is under his authority.
 
God never placed the restriction of no-talking on the man only the women. This is a plain distinction of church discipline from the mouth of God Himself. Many want to call Paul a chauvinist and nowhere does Paul ever introduce a class distinction, rather he is giving church discipline. In the same chapter, doesn't Paul say:
 
(1 Cor 14:37 KJV) If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
 
Oh, how many people neglect to include this verse into the equation. We see that the prohibition of women speaking in the church is a direct commandment of the Lord! It is not a suggestion but it is a commandment. It is a shame that the feminized clergy have taken God's commandments and turned them into suggestions.
 
Paul further states that:
(Gal 1:11-12 KJV) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. {12} For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
 
Notice Paul is saying he received these words by revelation and not from man. The feminized gospel we have today is the filtered and eclectic gospel given to us by seminary and pulpit prostitutes and accepted by the pew warmers. I once heard Dr. David A. Seamands from Asbury Theological Cemetery say that woman's ministry is fine and should not be discounted because of an obscure verse (1 Cor. 14:34-35) in the Bible. The good Doctor should resign since he does not believe the Bible. A Ph.D. does not mean you will get truth. I believe it stands for Pit of Hell Doctrine.
 
Woe unto the church for picking and choosing what we are going to obey. Have you ever attended a church meeting where an issue came up like women preachers, and the church leaders demanded a vote? Can you imagine, voting on whether we should obey God or not? The Bible is to be followed as the guidebook for the church, not the theological opinion of the clergy or the seminary which leads to TOTAL biblical ignorance and destruction of the congregation.
 
In 1 Corinthians 14:38, we read:
 
(1 Cor 14:38 KJV) But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
 
What God is saying here, is if anybody wants to be ignorant, let them but it will be to his or her own destruction. The sorry situation is that the ignorance begins at the pulpit and filters down.
 
Is Paul's admonition about the silence of women in the church limited to Corinthians? The answer is no!
 
(1 Tim 2:11-15 KJV) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. {12} But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. {13} For Adam was first formed, then Eve. {14} And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. {15} Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
 
These passages are in complete harmony with what we read in 1 Corinthians 14 except God gives the reasons they are to be silent. Eve was the one deceived in the transgression and also Adam was formed first. Eve was to be his helpmeet not his ruling authority. Adam was the one whom God placed in charge of the creation. After the fall, Eve was told by God that her desire shall be to her husband and he will rule over her. This command of God was never rescinded anywhere else in Scripture either. Please keep in mind that male authority existed before the fall into sin and after the fall, both men and women were placed under the results of that fall. They were never cursed because God planned to save many in subsequent generations. The guilt of sin can be removed via salvation but we still must live under the effect of sin.
 
The roles which God gave to women and men have never been rescinded or modified in any way. The question is will we submit to the authority of the Bible or will we set up an authority of our own to appease our sin drenched natures. If the Bible is clear on the fact that women must be silent in the church, then how can some women make the claim that "they have been called to preach?" Very simple, with ignorance of and disdain for Scripture, even the sodomite can be "called" to preach.
 
An important admonition:
 
(1 John 4:1 KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
 
The way we try them is by simply comparing them to Scripture. Then we know for sure, if what is being done is biblically correct or wrong. If women claim they have been called to preach, we can know instantly that they are liars or deceived.
 
Let me just say that in one sense it is good to see many women desiring to serve the Lord but it must be done in the manner prescribed by the Bible. Not in a political fashion with threats of law suits if they don't get their way. Never challenge God with fists blazing, believe me you will not win.
 
Now I want to look at another group of Scriptures which grammatically reject women as preachers, evangelists, and teachers.
 
Ephesians 4:11 (KJV)   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
 
We are going to look at three words in Ephesians 4:11, the words are pastors and evangelists and teachers.
 
Pastor
The English word pastor is derived from the Greek word "poimen" which carries with it the meaning of shepherd or herdsman.  It is used 18 times in the New Testament.  17 times it is translated shepherd or shepherds and 1 time as pastor in Ephesians 4:11.  All 18 times it is in the masculine gender which means male.  The Greek grammar is showing us that the spiritual gift of pastor is for men only and not for women.  This is why the Bible teaches that if they become pastors, they are usurping the position of pastor. 
 
From the 1913 Webster Dictionary on the word usurp>> Usurp is applied to seizure and use of office, functions, powers, rights, etc.; it is not applied to common dispossession of private property.
 
Evangelist
The second word in Ephesians 4:11 is closely related by function to the position of pastor and that is the evangelist.  The English word evangelist comes from the Greek word "euangelistes" which carries with it the meaning of Preacher of the Gospel and of course, evangelist.  It is used 3 times in the New Testament and all three times it is translated as evangelist.  This word in the Greek is also in the masculine gender in all three usages which means that the Greek grammar is showing us that evangelists are to be men and not women.
 
Teachers
The third word we are going to look at is teachers.  The English word teacher comes from the Greek word "didaskalos" which carries with it the meaning of Teacher and it is used 58 times in the New Testament.  It is translated as Master, teacher, and doctors.  All 58 usages of this word in the 4 different cases and whether plural or singular are all in the masculine gender.  This word in the Greek is showing us that the teachers of the Bible are to be men and not women.
 
In these three words we have learned that the preaching of the Gospel as an evangelist, the pastoring of a church, and the actual teaching of the Bible is reserved for men according to the word of God.
 
A very important point arises.  The Holy Spirit is the one who plants the spiritual gifts into Christians.  Do you think for a moment that since He wrote the Scriptures, He is going to defy the very teachings He Himself gave by calling a woman to be a pastor, evangelist, or teacher?  Every woman who has taken the position of pastor, evangelist, or teacher has called themselves, they were not called of God, this is why God calls it usurpation.  They are all in total disobedience to the word of God.
 
Oh, I almost forgot!
How do Lady Preachers become the husband of one wife?
 
(1 Tim 3:2 KJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
 
(Titus 1:6 KJV) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
 
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